By Albatross
January 12 2005

It's that time of year again when Pools Online looks at the season ahead, and takes a butchers at Hartlepool United's opposition for 2004/5. The first part covers Barnsley, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bradford City, Brentford and Bristol City.

Barnsley Last Season: 12th
Departures: Danny Alcock, Marlon Beresford, Tony Gallimore, Dean Gorre, Peter Handyside, Steve Hayward, Craig Ireland, Gary Monk, Alex Neil, Brian O'Callaghan, Isaiah Rankin
Arrivals: Matt Carbon, Nick Colgan, Barry Conlon, Stephen McPhail, Daniel Nardiello (Loan), Paul Reid, David Scarella, Tony Vaughan, Tom Williams
On the Pitch: Something of a rebuilding process this summer, with a number of departures and arrivals. Stephen McPhail is apparently on big wages, and much will be expected of the former Leeds man; big things are also being predicted by the fans for loan forward Daniel Nardiello.
Off the Pitch: After last summer's troubled times at Oakwell, it's been a mercifully quiet time at Oakwell - all the headlines have been made by the comings and goings on the playing side.
The Boss Man: Paul Hart took over in March, and lost more than he won as Barnsley slipped from the fringes of the Playoff battle to mid-table. A higher finish will be expected this season.
Watch out for: Only Kevin Betsy reached double figures last season - and he's been told he can leave. Barnsley will be looking to Nardiello and Barry "Baldy" Conlon to get a few, and will also be hoping Mark Stallard and Mickey Boulding can show why they were signed after disappointing spells.
Prediction: I can't see real improvement here - 12th again.

Blackpool Last Season: 14th
Departures: Phil Barnes, Matthew Blinkhorn (Loan), Steve Davis, Steve Elliott, Shaun Hessey, Tommy Jaszczun
Arrivals: Paul Edwards, Rob Edwards, Marc McGregor, Keigan Parker
On the Pitch: Last season was not a great one for Blackpool, as they never seriously challenged to rise above mid-table. Eventually this cost Steve McMahon his job - and the Bloomfield Road faithful will hope for an improvement.
Off the Pitch: Following the protracted departure of Steve McMahon, Colin Hendry was announced as boss in June.
The Boss Man: Hendry is in his first managerial role, but has Billy Dearden on hand to help him.
Watch out for: Scott Taylor has been in demand after his exploits last season but remains at the club; John Murphy and Mike Sheron were the supporting acts, and Keigan Parker will join them in the battle for a place up front.
Prediction: Lower mid-table consolidation as Hendry learns his trade. 17th.

AFC Bournemouth Last Season: 9th
Departures: Warren Feeney, Fawzi Saadi
Arrivals: Dani Rodrigues
On the Pitch: Last season was a good one following their promotion; the question this season is whether the Cherries can continue their progress.
Off the Pitch: The departure of Warren Feeney has been the main discussion point during the close season; a tribunal is due to take place shortly to decide the fee after he left for Stockport.
The Boss Man: Sean O'Driscoll guided Bournemouth into the top 10 last season, and a similarly good showing will be expected this time too.
Watch out for: James Hayter was the leading scorer last season, with Steve Fletcher offering some support. The loss of Feeney has been mitigated somewhat by the arrival of Dani Rodriguez, who had an impressive spell at Yeovil at the end of last season.
Prediction: A slight decline for Bournemouth, but nothing too serious. 11th.

Bradford City Last Season: 23rd in Div1 (Relegated)
Departures: Patrick Bannister, Nicholas Beach, Michael Branch, Danny Cadamateri, Clint Davies, Gareth Edds, Danny Ekoku, Paul Heckinbottom, Ben Muirhead, Mark Paston, Andy Rhodes, Michael Standing, Rob Wolleaston, Jake Wright
Arrivals: Steven Schumacher, Michael Symes
On the Pitch: Relegation was hardly a surprise given their off the field problems; Bryan Robson has departed, leaving Colin Todd to try and and improve matters. With the resources at his disposal, he'll need to make some shrewd signings.
Off the Pitch: Administration has taken it's toll, and it took an ultimatum from the administrators to get various parties talking to each other to secure the future. Most Bantams fans will simply be happy that there's still a club to support.
The Boss Man: Colin Todd has plenty of experience, but needs to act quickly to even have a full squad come the start of the season.
Watch out for: It's hard to say who might be worth watching - it depends on who Todd brings in. Dean Windass was joint top scorer last season, but his tally of six will hardly be causing opposition defences to lose sleep.
Prediction: A difficult start followed by stability as things settle down. 18th.

Brentford Last Season: 17th
Departures: Steve Evans, Lee Fieldwick, Stephen Hughes, Alan Julian, Jay Smith, Ibrahim Sonko, Danny Thomas, Dean Wells
Arrivals: Deon Burton, Scott Fitzgerald, Chris Hargreaves, San Lee, Andy Myers, Isaiah Rankin, John Salako, Sam Sodje
On the Pitch: Brentford fans have real hope of a better season this time, after avoiding relegation in some style at the end of last season.
Off the Pitch: A wildly-optimistic bid for Paulo Di Canio, and a number of other arrivals, have focussed attention on the playing squad this summer.
The Boss Man: Martin Allen turned things around with a vengeance at the end of last season; if he can continue in the same vein he will have achieved something remarkable.
Watch out for: Steve Hunt reached double figures last season, but it's more likely to be Rankin and Burton that Bees fans will look to for goals.
Prediction: A big step forward, but no playoff place. 10th.

Bristol City Last Season: 3rd
Departures: Marvin Brown, Joe Burnell, Louis Carey, Darren Caskey, Lee Matthews, Lee McGuire, Lee Peacock, Tony Rougier
Arrivals: Stephen Gillepie, Paul Heffernan, Bradley Orr
On the Pitch: After losing in the Playoff Final, Danny Wilson payed the price for failing to deliver promotion with an expensively-assembled squad. City fans will expect to be there or thereabouts again.
Off the Pitch: With the departure of Wilson and appointment of Tinnion, it's the events on the footballing side that have made the news.
The Boss Man: Brian Tinnion is in an unenviable position in some ways: with no managerial experience, he will still be expected to have City challenging at the top of the table.
Watch out for: Paul Heffernan scored plenty in a struggling side last season, and Robins fans will be hoping that Lee Miller and Christian Roberts can notch a few as well.
Prediction: Yet another challenge, but again Playoffs. 4th this time.